§ SIR MARK STEWART (Kirkcudbrightshire)To ask the Lord Advocate if he will state the reason why the reports and grants to the evening continuation classes of 1901–02 have not been sent out, although the school year ended on 31st 1185 July last; and, in view of the inconvenience caused to the managers by this delay, can he state when the schools are likely to receive the reports and grants.
(Answered by Mr. Graham Murray.) More than one-third of the claims for grants to the continuation classes have already been paid, and the remainder are being dealt with as rapidly as possible. In the majority of cases it has been found necessary to refer back to the managers the forms of claim for grant, for more complete particulars or for corrected returns, before the calculation of the grant could be proceeded with. Every effort is being made to complete the payment of all the claims, but even now some managers have not yet submitted their returns in the first instance for the consideration of the Department.